The Universality of Self-Generated Verbal Mediators as a Means of Enhancing Memory Processes. Research Report No. 58.

Buium, Nissan; Turnure, James E.

In a replication of a similar study with American children, 56 normal native Israeli children (5-years-old) were studied to determine the universality of self-generated verbal mediators as a means of enhancing memory processes. Eight Ss, randomly selected, were assigned in each of the following conditions: labeling, sentence generation, listening to interrogative reversals or why questions, response to interrogative reversals, sentence repetition, response to what questions, or response to why questions. Ss were presented with 21 pairs of pictures of common objects under the designated conditions, and were then shown only one picture from each pair and asked to identify the missing picture. Results revealed the mean number of correct responses was highest (16.1) to the "response to why questions" and was lowest (1.5) in the "labeling" condition. Findings replicated those of the study with American children in that the conditions that enhanced a higher recall were the conditions that required the child to generate a verbal mediator that would meaningfully encompass both paired associates items. (Instructions and formats for each testing condition are appended.) (LS)